Improvement in stops for sewing-machines



JAMES BILLENGS SAFFORIJ, v I Improved Stop for Sewing Machines. No.1l8,490.

Patented Aug. 29, 1871.

' WAZMLMMQ mreubo z. Y k 2 W WW NI'IED STATES JAMES BILLINGS SAFFORD, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN STOPS FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,490, dated August 29, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES BILLINGS SAFFoRn, of Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have invented a certain new and Improved Apparatus for Preventing Retrograde Motion, particularly applicable to sewingmachines.

Myinvention relates to that class of devices which, when attached to sewing or other similar machines, will admit of the machine operating in one direction only, and thus prevent any objectionabl e backward movement. My invention consists in a jointed weighted stop-lever of novel and peculiar construction and operation, which, when combined with the frame of the machine in proper relation with the balance-wheel, will operate upon the peripherical surface of the wheel and prevent any backward movement; and I do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawing furnished and forming a part of the same, is a true, clear, and exact description thereof.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 represents my device as viewed from below when in position on the under side of a sewing-machine table. Fig. 2 represents the same in side view as if on the under side of a table and in proper working relation with the periphery of a balance-wheel.

In both figures A represents a bed-plate provided with suitable countersunk holes for attaching it by screws to a table. It is provided with two corresponding lugs, d, projecting side by side from the face of the bed-plate, with space between the two. B is the stop-lever, secured between the lugs (l by the pivot e, on which it is so set as to be easily rocked. This lever is of peculiar and novel construction. Its operative end or handle 0 is jointed to the main part of the lever by a pivoted vertical joint, by means of which the handle C may be swung to the left, as shown in Fig. 1. A flat side spring, g,-riveted to the side of the handle serves to hold the handle either parallel with the lever B, as shown in Fig. 2, or at right angles thereto, as shown in Fig.1. In the effective end of the lever B is secured a cushion, H, of rubber or other suitable material. This cushion H should be sufficiently soft and elastic to hold readily to the periphery of the balance wheel, and. also to be noiseless in its operation. S is an elastic cushion secured to the face of the bed-plateB at the point where the effective end of the lever would otherwise come in contact with the bed-plate. In being thus placed, whenever the lever B is forced upward against the plate in any manner all sound is deadened. K is a portion of a balancewvheel.

The operation of my improvement is as follows: Assuming a device to be in position, as shown in Fig. 2, it will be observed that when the cushion H is resting upon the periphery of the wheel K, it can revolve in but one directiont'. 0., away from the cushion and the lever in which it is mounted. Should the wheel be stopped and turned partially backward, the lever B drops and forms a stop-lever with its base at the pivot e, and effectually prevents any backward movement.

Inasmuch as it frequently occurs in doing certain kinds of work that this stop device is unnecessary, I have devised a means by which the effective end of the lever may be kept from or in contact with the balance-wheel, as may be desired. When the handle 0 is extended parallel with the'lever, its weight overcomes the weight of the effective end and lifts that end free from the wheel and holds it in that position. When, howhowever, the handle 0 is turned at right angles to the lever, the operative end is thereby shortened, and hence the effective end with the defiective force of the lever acting on the fulcrum e overcomes the weight of the handle and brings its cushion in contact with the wheel.

It is obvious that .my improved apparatus operates noiselessly and effectively; that it is simple and inexpensive, and that if it should, perchance, get out of order, it can be readily removed and another applied; that it is a distinct and separate device and may be applied to any similar machine; that it can be made positive or negative to act upon the wheel or not, as the operator may desire.

Having thus described my improvement, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The jointed lever B provided with the swinging arm O, by the variable weight of which the opposite or effective end of the lever may be elevated or depressed and thereby kept free from or in contact with the periphery of the balance or driving-wheel, substantially as described.

JAMES B. SAFFORD.

Witnesses AUGUSTUS AWENG, A. P. DOUGHTY. 

